Thursday, December 4, 2014

**I received this book for free from Ballantine Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Book Blurb*

Boston Detective Jane Rizzoli is on the case of a big game hunter found dead in his apartment, alone with a the body of a beautiful white snow leopard he had recently been commissioned to procure and stuff for a high-profile museum in the area. Medical examiner Maura Isles connects the case to a number of seemingly unrelated deaths where the victims have all been found hanging upside down, the hallmark of a leopard's kill. Rizzoli follows the puzzling trail of clues all the way to Botswana, where she uncovers the unsolved mystery of a deadly camping safari SIX years prior. When she realizes the two cases are connected, Rizzoli must track down the sole survivor of the tragic trip to discover who - or what - is behind these gruesome deaths.

*My Thoughts*

Boston Homicide Detective Jane Rizzoli, and Medical Examiner Maura Isles are back in the Eleventh installment of the Rizzoli & Isles series Die Again. This time out, the dynamic duo try to uncover a mystery of who or what is killing hunters around the country leaving them hanging upside down, and whether or not the killer is connected to a Botswana Safari 6 years ago that left only one survivor.

Die Again is told in the first POV by Millie Jacobsen, while Jane and Maura's side of the story is in the third POV. Millie is an interesting character. She goes on this safari in order to try to manage her relationship with a big time author, and finds herself changed after devastating events tear the group apart. Millie is a character that I could totally see having her own story without Jane or Maura around. Her story is vivid in its detail and the scenery of the African outback and the dangers around every corner, especially if you are unarmed, are beautifully written. She manages to somehow survive in the wilderness with only her will power and determination, and becomes the key witness in solving the killers identity.

I truly believe that Die Again is a statement book for Tess Gerritsen even though she and her husband have apparently been on one of the Safaris. It is obvious as the nose on your face that she has issues with big game hunters, taxidermists, and those special breed of fools who collect and mount their big game on the walls of their homes. I have read other reviewers who have the same opinion on hunters, and the fact that they are rotten to the core and should be killed like the game they hunt. I don't share that opinion.

She also gets into the fact that people truly don't understand how their food is made or where it comes from, especially when it comes to meat, so she goes the extra mile in creating a very disturbing imaginary to get her point through to the readers. I supposed vegans and vegetarians will be jumping for joy after reading this book, but I'm not going to wean myself off meat any time soon.

Oh yes, she apparently also has issues with cats, who according to her, carry numerous vile diseases and eat people. As an old cat lady who will most likely die alone with her cat, I say bah humbug Ms Grinch! Cats are cuddly, cute, lovable, adorable, and cleaner than any dog I know! And, my cat has never tried to eat my face off!

Please ignore the book blurb. It is more than a bit misleading. Yes, a big game hunter is killed in a very disturbing manner and so are others along the way, but none of the rest is any where close to what actually happens. Not trying to spoil anything folks, but book blurbs can be misleading most of the time, and it pays to mention that Tess, like many other authors, is trying to sell a book to you. You should read this book because you are a fan of the Rizzoli & Isles series, not because of a book blurb.

As for Rizzoli & Isles, the duo has some issues when it comes to trust and their friendship. Lots of things have done harm to their friendship, including Maura's determination to get to the facts without Jane, or anyone nagging her to see reasoning. I really, truly felt emotional for Maura this time out, especially when it turns out that she's right all along. I really don't want to see the partnership torn apart, but sometimes Maura needs to follow her own path, and not worry about Jane, or anyone else. She's really been put through the ringer lately, and it doesn't help that her mother is pushing the issue with her.

Overall, Die Again is a typical Tess Gerritsen novel. She is very detailed with her imaginary, and doesn't hold back in putting her characters into harms way, and watching them struggle to survive. I will say that Millie's chapters are the most entertaining, and the mystery was very well drawn out, while Jane and Maura's are the most troubling for their continued partnership. I had no clue who the killer was, right until Tess reveals vital facts pertinent to solving the case. I think one of the more interesting characters outside or Millie, is Johnny, the Botswana guide. I really did hope that Millie and he would have found a way to connect more fully then what was written. But, those are the breaks folks!

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About

Hi, I'm Shelley, an avid book reader from Florida by way of New York. I read and review books of MOST GENRE's for my own personal gratification and don't mind if people disagree with my assessment as long as they respect me.
I love receiving book recommendations from my friends, and authors, and appreciate when I'm lucky enough to receive an ARC before release. I consider myself lucky enough that people actually stop by and read my reviews.